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Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been sent to airports nationwide, including Reagan National and Dulles International, as officials contend with long lines, staffing shortages and spring break crowds.
President Donald Trump authorized the deployment earlier this week in an effort to ease delays at security and immigration checkpoints during the partial government shutdown.
Funding cuts have left hundreds of airport employees working without pay, prompting some to quit and worsening staffing shortages. Travelers have consequently faced hours-long lines, severe delays and canceled trips.
The Department of Homeland Security said ICE agents were deployed to help manage crowds and direct passengers. The deployment also could support targeted arrests of undocumented immigrants already identified in federal systems, in line with Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.
However, ICE agents are not qualified to perform the specialized screening handled by the Transportation Security Administration. Their presence therefore may do little to accelerate security lines and could further complicate airport operations.
The timing has heightened concerns among students traveling for spring break.
“As a frequent traveler, an airport already has so many checkpoints, or safety procedures in general,” sophomore Henry Arnholt said. “Adding agents will do nothing but create an uncomfortable setting for passengers in the airport.”
Junior Charlotte Spencer said she was dreading the delays ahead of her spring break trip.
“I am traveling for spring break; however, I am not at all looking forward to the excessive wait times and chaos, because I just want to get to the destination and not go through everything else going on,” Spencer said. “Although safety is important, ICE does not have enough experience nor authority to assist with TSA regulations.”